The Emperor's birthday would arrive in just a week. However, they were left pondering about something.
If they would not allow either Emperor Zau or Song Xiu to rule over Great Zau, who will take over?
"Duke Bo?" Gou Zhongcheng suggested.
Empress Wei shook his head, examining a bunch of papers. "He's too old, and I heard that he was slowly developing problems with his right leg."
"Tang Xin, son of Concubine Tang with former Emperor Zau Lou." Ren Jidian offered. "He's a half-brother and managed to survive Zau Ting's purgings by fleeing further to the South."
"He is still 15. Many things may happen to him before he gets properly crowned during his coming of age." Wei Wangyi sighed.
"If we choose him, we must have him trained and protected from any usurpers. "
"Or you could just rid of any usurpers and burn then." Gou Zhongcheng said nonchalantly, sipping elderberry tea.
"The guards can handle the protection. They would be loyal as soon as he proved he is from Zau's lineage and he is a worthy ruler." Ren Jidian said. "But as for training...."
Wei Wangyi frowned. "During the time that he is not crowned yet, he would only follow the many dumb advisors and officials. He needs someone who would guide him. Teach him to be a good ruler, but also rule with an iron fist."
"Like a father figure." Gou Zhongcheng nodded.
"Someone who is knowledgeable on how the Palace's system works, that will sharpen him like a great arrow that hits with precision."
"A mentor, huh." Ren Jidian rubbed his chin. "How do we find such a person....."
He soon saw something from the pile of papers in front of him. Gou Zhongcheng compiled them with the help of Lady Shu, stealing records while everyone's busy with a feast.
"Qing Daitong.... Leader of the 4th Infantry..... Managed to defeat the Rou Tribe with just 500 men..." He read with wide eyes.
That's right! His father was the former emperor's most trusted general!
Ren Jidian grinned. "How about him? I definitely know that he will raise this child properly. With respect for Yins and Yangs alike, but also aware of the harsh realities of the world."
Wei Wangyi considered it. "But your father is crippled. Do you think that he can still train and protect him even with his disability?"
"My father raised me all alone even with disability, and he is strong enough to carry himself around. And look at all his records!" Ren Jidian said proudly.
"There's no better person than him for me.... When raising the new emperor that will take over the tyrant Zau Ting."
And so, they decided to settle things. They sent a secret letter through Lady Shu as she went out to buy things at the market to inform Qing Daitong of their plans.
They also sent a letter that may take a while to be received to the missing prince, Tang Xin. They hoped that this boy would be courageous enough to retrieve the position of Emperor.
As they finished managing the papers, Empress Wei sighed as he looked out the window at night.
Ren Jidian went by his side. "Empress.... May I say something you may find strange?"
"Hmm?" He asked.
"I actually know someone who is much worthier to rule over Great Zau."
He tilt his head to the side. "Who?"
"Well... We are looking for someone who knows the politics from inside out. Who is intelligent, strong, and can gain the respect of others."
"I believe..." Ren Jidian looked at him seriously. "That person is you."
Empress Wei's eyes saddened at this. "To be the ruler of the kingdom that persecuted my own.... Not to mention that I am a Yin. That is really strange."
"I know. If only things were different, sigh." The scholar laid his head on his shoulder. "You could have been one of the best rulers this godforsaken kingdom ever had..... if you were a Yang."
Wei Wangyi smiled sadly. "Well, I wouldn't be here in the first place if I was a Yang. Zau Ting would not have coveted me and killed my father."
"So many things would have been different if we were both Yangs. I would have had a better chance of killing the Emperor myself."
"But you are killing him." Empress Wei said. "You have orchestrated everything, using Song Xiu like a puppet while also planning to thwart him in the end."
"Hah, I'd rather risk my life in murdering that man rather than take his offer to be his Empress and you as his concubine."
Empress Wei kissed his hand. "And I shall do the same."
Ren Jidian smiled, also returning that kiss. "I know."
"Scholar Ren.... Can I say something strange too?" He asked.
"Yes?" Ren Jidian asked.
"You too.... would have been a great Emperor. If you have been a Yang. I would not mind ruling this kingdom by your side."
Ren Jidian shook his head. "That's not true at all. I am not intelligent, nor knows how to command respect..."
"But for me, what matters is your heart and courage. You have a very strong heart, Scholar Ren." He also laid his head on his shoulders. "Ever since I met you, I felt swayed by that heart."
"You speak your mind, yet you also know how to act in front of the dangerous people around you without submitting to them. You always hold your head high and believe in a great future."
"I only have fake confidence." Wei Wangyi sighed. "If not for you, I would not have risked something like this at all, dancing and then setting a fire at the Palace."
Ren Jidian frowned. "It's reasonable for you to not have hope in your situation, Empress. I know you could save yourself, we all could."
"But sometimes, we needed something to be the reason why we're saving ourselves. Or someone."
He too had felt hopeless at times inside this strange world. Knwoing that even if he had a happy ending....
It will disappear, and he will be taken away from Wei Wangyi.
He was not as strong as Wei Wangyi thought. He sometimes cried at night thinking about it, cursing Lord Baphie again and again.
But what matters was now. What matters was to give Wei Wangyi HIS happy ending.
No matter which world it was, he will give his Wei the ending that he deserves. Even if it caused him to constantly receive pain and heartbreak.
"That look again..... That's the same look you had when I thought you were saying beautiful." Wei Wangyi cusped both hands on his cheek.
"I now know what that look means. It's not just that you think I am beautiful. "
Ren Jidian's breath hitched as he said:
"You love me, don't you, Scholar Ren?"